Brooklyn, N.Y., March 30, 2018 – The Washington University in St. Louis baseball team opened University Athletic Association (UAA) play Friday afternoon with a 4-1 road victory over New York University at MCU Park.

The Bears improved to 11-7 (1-0 UAA), while the Violets fell to 15-2 (0-1 UAA). WashU's pitching staff reached double figures in strikeouts for the ninth time on the season as sophomore starting pitcher Matt Ashbaugh totaled nine during his six inning quality start in route to earning his first victory of the season.

WashU wasted little time in scoring the first run of the game as freshman Henry Singer led the game off with a bunt single. He advanced to second base on a throwing error during a pickoff attempt and third base on a groundout by sophomore Thomas Gardner. Sophomore John Brinkman's sacrifice fly ball to centerfield was able to score Singer for the 1-0 lead.

The Violets struck back in the bottom of the first with a two-out homerun to even the game at 1-1. Ashbaugh surrendered just four more hits his remainder of time on the mound.

The Bears retook the lead in the fourth inning on a double by sophomore John Ostrander, and added another in the seventh inning on a single by junior Evan Nagel which cashed in Ostrander after he hit a leadoff triple.

Ostrander once again scored in the ninth inning as he led off the frame with a double. He stole third base which led to an errant throw by the catcher allowing him to score the final run of the game and give the Bears a 4-1 lead. 

Freshman Tim Tague picked up his first save of his career by pitching the final three innings of the game, allowing two hits and striking out two batters.

Ostrander finished 3-for-4 with two doubles and a triple as he tallied three of WashU's seven hits. Singer, Gardner, Nagel and senior Auggie Mense also produced hits during the contest.

The Bears will continue their four-game series with New York Saturday, March 31 with a doubleheader starting at 12 p.m. (ET). Be sure to stay up to date on all your Bears scores and awards by following @WashUBears on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.